SAFETY DRILL
“Alarm Rings” “It’s already time to wake up ” I whispered. At this time of life, my
English is getting better at the age of eight years old. As I’m getting ready to go to school in myhead.I know it’s reading day, so I’m excited to read my favorite book. As I was rushing to get ready, I almost left my book bag and my mom behind. I always loved reading day. It’s as if Ilearn new vocabulary words when I read, and my English improves progressively.
My mom shouts “Moussa, wait for me” in an African accent while I shout back “Mommy we have to go” As we were walking a thought just came into my head. I was always a curious young boy that liked to ask questions so I asked my mom if people understand your english because some people don’tunderstand mine. She says back to me “I take you to school in this English , I make doctor appointments with this English and I could buy food with this English , so that’s what itall matters about”. I nod my head understanding where she is coming from. As we enter the school I give my mom a good bye while I say “Kambe” meaning bye in bamabara. As I made my way to classroom 306, Ms. Adams assigned us seats, so we waited in line until ournames were called. Although I was not initially aware, I have an ability to read the energy in the room and observe my surroundings carefully before taking any action. Moussa you’re next toJeffrey in the yellow seat” Waiting for instructions to be called. “We will read for 30 minutes then write a book report”. Ms Adams walks up to me and elaborates what we are doing for me just in case I didn’t understand. As I grabbed my book she said another announcement “ There’s a chance it will be a safety drill in the next 15-20 minutes”. I didn’t know what a safety drill was so brushed it off. As I continue to read I’m writing down words I’m not familiar with so after I finish Ms Adams can help me define those words so I can expand my vocabulary. Ms Adams approached me again ‘’Moussa do you need help with these words “ I nod my head yes. As she explained to me she said now use these words in the sentence. My English is limited so it will be
hard for me but one thing I always do is make an effort .The words I wrote down I look at thesentences in the book so I can use context clues and etc so I can make my own sentences. Suddenly I just feel something tiny being thrown at me . I brushed it off but then the second one hit me then landed on my loose leaf paper. Picked it up to examine it. It was like someone was peeling their eraser and plucking it at me. I look around and everyone looks all innocent so I couldn’t tell who threw it.
Then I heard a deep voice coming from the loudspeaker. At the time, it sounded like mumbling to me, as my understanding of English was limited. However, I now realize what was being said: “Everyone, lock your doors, turn off the lights, and move to the corner of the classroom.”. Everyone is moving fast, pencils dropping , chairs are getting pushed out the desk, I see everyone moving quickly and quietly . But I’m in shock. “What is happening Ms Adams’’ she didn’t hear me “ Ms Adamsss” Ms Adams “shhhhh come moussa come here” I ran to the closet she was at My heart was racing my heart beat was skipping deuces . Memories of family start to appear in my head like something terrible was about to happen. I was scared and sweaty like someone was about to bust in the door with a gun like a school shooter. I just closed my eyes and said the words “ God please not today” repeatedly in my head . Then I heard the speaker voice again that I heard earlier . The same deep voice saying the drill has lifted me not knowing that that means I started in that same spot until Ms Adams walked up to me and asked if I was ok. I raise my head and she notices I’m sweating and in a state of shock and scared at the same time. “No No No moussa it’s fake not real” “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you before it happened so you would know and not be confused”said Ms Adams. I told her “I didn’t know what the person on the speaker was saying”. Times like this can be hard for people that are limited to English because they don’t know what’s always going and are aware of what’s around them.

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